School Days, School Days!!

Back to school! Back to school! Back to school! We have had an amazing summer, but I thrive on routine and we haven't had one since late May. I have to admit, I was ready for the school bell to ring. Of course, Jeb doesn't start back until September 10th so I'm not footloose and fancy free -- yet! My won't next year be different when I drop all three of them off at Reed School in mid-August . . . a little bittersweet.

Ford -- 3rd grade

Virginia -- 1st grade

Virginia and Mrs. Donnelly . . . Virginia is still not totally sure about this whole new teacher each year thing! But thankfully, she got a big hug from her kindergarten teacher to get her started and she has several familiar faces in her class.

Virginia and Riley . . . 1st graders at last!
And now for our big 3rd grader . . .Ford with Miss Finan . . . he is hoping that since she competes in triathlons that she can offer him some advice for quickly getting socks and shoes on wet feet. He'd like to cut his transition time in his Labor Day triathlon on 9/6!
Brent and Ford . . . I love that he still lets us love on him!!
Here is to an amazing school year!

Momma's Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be Cowboys . . .

Finally, after a few years of discussing it, we made the 2 hour trip to Sikeston, MO to enjoy the Sikeston Jaycees Bootheel Rodeo! We joined some friends from St. Louis and their family in Sikeston -- these are the same sweet friends that invited us to enjoy their lake house on Kentucky Lake back in June. To say we had an amazing time is an understatement! Virginia now wants to be a barrel racer and my boys are both going to participate in bull riding! :)

Here are some pictures of our night . . .

Bull riding . . .

Ford and Virginia with their Sikeston friends . . . me, Brent and Jeb sat in bleacher seats but the kids were in the box with their friends -- Ford is in the navy shirt surrounded by a bunch of adorable little girls in pink! :) Notice all the mud -- there was a major storm about 3 hours before the rodeo. Mud was EVERYWHERE!
This is a photo of why you don't want your son to be a bull rider -- that is a cowboy underneath the bull.
Family picture taken around 10:30pm (yes, my kids were still awake! -- and smiling!) while we were waiting for the set up for the Gretchen Wilson concert . . .

And is there anything more fun than having permission to jump on the beds?? This is why my kids like to go to a hotel!

We are officially hooked on Sikeston and will definitely be back -- great friends, amazing ribs and an awesome rodeo!

The Muny . . .

We are LOVING our time at The Muny this summer! It is a must do activity for anyone in the Lou! Yes, it has been hot, but so amazingly fun! This was taken just before seeing The Sound of Music . . .

These are a few of my favorite things . . . :)

Baseball Camp with Benes and Matheny . . .

Last week while I was out of it with eye surgery number 2 for 2010, Ford was able to go to a pitchers and catchers camp done by our friend and former Cardinals pitcher Andy Benes and former Cards catcher Mike Matheny. There is not much that excites an 8 year old boy more than professional athletes!

Ford with Andy Benes . . .

and Ford with Mike Matheny . . .
This whole baseball thing is starting to rub off on me!

My Triathlete!!!

Ford decided that he would like to try a triathlon -- don't most 8 year olds have that desire? Crazy! But there is a camp here at St. Michael's School where the kids spend two weeks of their summer training and preparing for the St. Louis Kids Triathlon. Well, he is now hooked and has registered for his 2nd on Labor Day! The triathlon is adjusted for the ages of the kids. Ford had to swim 100 yards, bike 1 mile and run 1/2 mile. It doesn't sound too bad until you realize you literally jump out of the pool, run to the bike and try to get clothes on your wet body, hop on bike, hop off bike and remove helmut and start running. Transitions are crazy and it is a lot of movement for an 8 year old body in a short period of time -- heck, it is a lot of movement for ANY body! I couldn't swim 100 yards if my life depended on it!

Ford finished 4th out of the 9 year old boys -- he isn't even 9 yet but they go by age by the end of the year. He did all that swimming, biking and running in 20 minutes and 14 seconds. If he could have gotten his socks on his wet feet, he would have shaved his time by 4 minutes easily! :)

Here are some photos of his great accomplishment -- I'm amazingly proud of his strength and endurance!

Brent and Ford waiting for his group to be called to the pool . . . he loved that they number your body. Kids love to draw on themselves!

Almost done with 75 yards . . .

Darn socks and shoes . . . we are going to practice putting socks on wet feet prior to the Labor Day event! :)

Second loop of the 1 mile bike course -- it was downhill as you took off but sadly, you had to bike back up the hill twice!

And running uphill just before the finish line . . . tired but doing amazing!

And finally, my stinkin' cute triathlete! He is inspiring!

The Wades Visit St Louis!!

There is nothing we enjoy more than having our friends and family visit us in St. Louis! There are so many fun and unique things to do and see -- it is easy to entertain! A couple of weeks ago, my dear college friends Ivey and Brian came for their 2nd visit to St. Louis. Their son Thomas is 6 weeks older than Ford and Virginia is 4 months older than Anna. Poor Jeb -- they stopped at two! :( I loved having my friends here and the kids LOVED having their buddies back too! Here are some highlights of our time together . . .

City Museum -- nothing like it anywhere! Even the grown ups had fun!!

Anna and Virginia at the top of the ferris wheel -- which just happens to be on the roof of a 10 story building!
The gang -- Virginia, Anna, Thomas, Ford and Jeb . . .
Anna and Virginia in the caves . . .
A wonderful, but hot, night at The Muny to see Cats. 4 kids and the show didn't start til 8:15. We are brave but it was really fun! And the coordinating clothing was chance -- Ivey and I just both have great taste! :)
Jeb, Virginia and Anna feeding the ducks at The Boathouse in Forest Park . . .
Thomas and Ford . . .
Building an arch at the Science Center . . .
The hamster wheel -- I think these two hamsters have grown since the last time they attempted this!
Such a fun visit! So who wants to visit next?! Come back soon Wades! We miss you!!